Auto Show

BRABUS Tuning for the New Mercedes CLS Coupe in 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Top dog tuner of all things Daimler, BRABUS has revealed its exclusive tuning program for the second generation Mercedes CLS-Class.

Making its world debut in Geneva next week, the four-door coupe is outfitted modestly for a sporty-elegant flavor. The wind tunnel tested kit features a front spoiler mounted to the OE front bumper, restyled air vent inserts with fitted LED daytime running, sport fenders with side gills, side skirts, rear spoiler and a custom fitted lower rear bumper apron to accommodate the four tailpipes of the BRABUS sport exhaust system. The rear appearance is rounded out with a centrally mounted reflector.

Suspension tuning is available is seveal levels from a simple ride-height lowering by some 30 millimeters via sport springs or a complete suspension upgrade with adjustable dampers all around. CLS models equipped with the semi-active AIRMATIC air suspension system can be lowered by some 35 millimeters (1.4 in.) with the BRABUS suspension module. BRABUS Monoblock wheels in sizes ranging from 8.5Jx17 to 10.5Jx20 are available as one-piece and three piece wheels in six different designs.

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Jaguar XKR-S announced for 2011 Geneva Motor Show debut

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the E-Type, Jaguar has announced plans to introduce the XKR-S at the Geneva Motor Show.

Designed to be the sportiest Jag ever created, the XKR-S features an aggressive front fascia, black mesh grille inserts, and LED-infused headlights. Other goodies include modified front fenders, aerodynamic side skirts, a prominent rear diffuser, and a massive rear wing.

Under the hood, power is provided by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine with 550 PS (405 kW / 542 hp) and 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds, 0-100 mph in 8.6 seconds, and onto a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).

To ensure the XKR-S can handle like a proper sports car, engineers have installed a “bespoke” suspension and a reprogrammed Adaptive Dynamics system.

According to Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s Global Brand Director, “The XKR-S is a bold and exciting new model for Jaguar. We expect to attract both loyal and new Jaguar driving enthusiasts who still want the comfort, opulence and class only a Jaguar can offer, combined with inspirational performance.”

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Subaru Boxer Sports Car Architecture world premiere in 2011 Geneva Motor Show

While the Toyota FT-86 II Concept car is on display at the Toyota stand in Geneva, the platform the car is built upon is featured at the Subaru stand. The Subaru BOXER Sports Car Architecture, along with the rear-wheel drive concept vehicle, were jointly designed by both automakers.

While the vehicle’s exterior design is 100% Toyota, the underpinnings are pretty much entirely Subaru, right down to the 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated horizontally-opposed Boxer engine mounted near the front. The fact that the engine sends power to the rear wheels, instead of all four, clearly comes from the Toyota side of the table.

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777-horsepower MTM Audi R8 making 2011 Geneva Motor Show debut

There’s a strong possibility that German tuning house MTM’s booth at the Geneva Motor Show will be visibile from space. The boys from Wettstetten are bringing their paint-free polished-aluminum Audi R8 BiTurbo to Hall 5 at Geneva. The company is mum on exactly how they removed all that paint, but they do allow that it took 700 hours of polishing to get the car where it is now.

If the gleaming bodywork isn’t enough to snag your gaze, MTM packed its latest R8 with 777 twin-turbocharged horsepower just to let everyone know they weren’t fooling around. The result is good for a claimed top speed of more than 217 mph, making this the fastest R8 on the block.

If the turbo R8 doesn’t whet your appetite, MTM is also hauling its 472-hp, 195-mph Audi TT RS to the show.

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Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg

When General Motors debuted the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist technology at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, the automaker told us that this new fuel-saving feature would quickly spread across many other models in its portfolio. Now, GM has taken the wraps off of the eAssist-equipped 2012 Buick Regal, which makes its official public debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week.

Most significantly, the addition of eAssist to the Regal’s 2.4-liter inline-four powertrain means that the sedan is now capable of achieving 26 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Like the LaCrosse, the Regal eAssist uses a small, 15-horsepower electric motor to give assistance during acceleration, and when combined with things like regenerative braking and automatic start/stop, it means a substantial increase in fuel economy. It’s not exactly Ford Fusion Hybrid impressive, but still quite good when you consider that the standard Regal only musters up 19/30 mpg ratings.

Unlike the larger LaCrosse, eAssist will not be the base powertrain for 2012 Regals. Buick has positioned the Regal eAssist to be part of larger family, which includes the Regal Turbo and upcoming GS. Model-specific changes over the base Regal include things like lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels (smaller than the standard Regal’s 18-inch set), an eco mode for the air conditioning system, an eco gauge on the instrument panel and a powerflow readout in the seven-inch infotainment screen.
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2012 Acura TL teased ahead of Chicago 2011 Auto Show debut

Acura is set to debut the revamped 2012 TL sedan at the Chicago Auto Show this week, and the automaker has just released this teaser image, showing the car’s slightly refreshed rump. It doesn’t appear that the rear design has changed too much versus the current TL; this refresh is more than likely similar to the updo that the smaller TSX received for the 2011 model year.

What we’re most curious about, however, is the 2012 TL’s front fascia. Acura’s new corporate face wasn’t too well-received by members of the media when it debuted on the 2009 TL, and we’re curious to see if the angular lines have been smoothed out for the new model year.

Additionally, we’d expect that the sedan’s powertrain options – currently a pair of 3.5- and 3.7-liter V6s – have been refined ever so slightly. We’ll have the full details during this week’s Chicago Auto Show festivities, so stay tuned.
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Toyota debuts modestly refreshed 2011 Matrix in Chicago Auto Show

Toyota will not be having a formal press conference at this week’s Chicago Auto Show, but the automaker will still have something fresh on its stand. The 2011 Matrix hatchback has officially bowed, with a slightly retouched exterior (new wheels, different paint choices, etc.), a touched-up interior with a new steering wheel and seat fabrics, and a new standard brake-override system called Smart Stop.

The 2011 Matrix is only available in two trim levels – base and S – and is powered by either a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter or 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Transmission choices include a four- or five-speed automatic, as well as a five-speed manual, and all-wheel drive is available on the Matrix S when paired with the 2.4-liter powerplant.

New sport packages are available for both Matrix trims, with the S Sport Package incorporating things like 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear underbody spoilers, a roof-mounted rear spoiler and, of course, ‘S’ badging. Pricing has not been released for the 2011 Matrix as of this writing, but we expect the starting MSRP to be just under $17,000.
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Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis in 2011 Chicago Auto Show

Lexus has been attempting to build excitement in its brand lately by reaching out to a younger, more performance-oriented market. The latest efforts have also revolved around its line of hybrid luxury vehicles. We all know if there is one thing that’s gets the kids; it’s luxury cars and hybrids.

The star of Lexus’s Chicago 2011 tuner section is a CT200h hybrid tuned by 5 Axis, a car modifier known for building extensively modified show cars. The small hatchback wears a custom designed widebody kit, 19-inch wheels and a custom interior. The cars adjustable coilover suspension is by Japanese Manufacturer Tein, which not only improves handling but also allows for the lower stance.
No actual information was available at the Lexus booth during the show. When asked, the lead spokesmodel suggested the best source of technical information on the car would be a Google search. Apparently Lexus is sticking firmly to its new corporate motto of “The Hard Way.”

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First Look: 2012 Acura TL in 2011 Chicago Auto Show

Acura’s much-maligned TL has been reinvigorated. With fresh styling and a new six-speed automatic transmission, the refreshed 2012 Acura TL may no longer be the odds-on favorite to make fun of from a design perspective.

The mid-size Acura four-door debuts at the Chicago Auto Show and goes on sale later this year. The five-speed automatic transmission on the TL is gone; for 2012, all automatic-transmission TLs get a six-speed. In front-wheel-drive form, fuel economy is expected to improve from 18/26 mpg city/highway to 20/29 mpg, a noticeable boost.

Acura’s 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 remain, but the automaker says that optimized gear ratios will make the cars slightly quicker. The new six-speed automatic will also allow double-kickdowns, for example, from fifth to third gear. The six-speed manual transmission is still an option for those who start with the 3.7-liter V-6 and Acura’s “super-handling” all-wheel drive.
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First Look: 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 in 2011 Chicago Auto Show

The all-new Charger will once again receive a slight makeover later this fall, although this time it’ll get musclecar mascara from Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team. Not only is the new 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 more powerful than the last go-fast rendition, but according to preliminary test data, it’s more efficient, too.

The new SRT8 Charger’s improved efficiency is achieved in part by the addition of Chrysler’s adaptive valve exhaust system and Fuel Saver technology. The latter switches the all-new 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 into a four-cylinder mode that’s activated over a wider rpm range, thus minimizing consumption. By exactly how much has yet to be announced, but for a reference point, the last Challenger SRT8 powered by the 6.1-liter V-8 was rated 13/19 mpg city/highway. An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft on the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 optimize low-end grunt for even more speed when you want it.

Each of the SRT8′s 465 horses and 465 pound-feet of torque are routed to sticky 20-inch rear rubber through the brand’s well worn W5A580 AutoStick five-speed automatic. Yes, we know, it’s no pistol-grip six-speed manual (say, from the Challenger SRT8 392), or even a six-speed slushbox, but SRT has included a first-ever paddle shifting function to make the aging tranny more entertaining.
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